PG sensitivity and e-liquid allergies: what to look for and what to try

Most vapers use PG without any issue. A minority report symptoms they link to higher PG liquids: a dry or scratchy throat, a sore mouth, or in some cases skin irritation. We are a shop, not a clinic, so we cannot diagnose anything, and plenty of these symptoms have other causes too.

Also bear in mind that both PG and VG draw moisture, so a dry mouth is something many new vapers notice regardless of ratio. Drinking more water often helps with that. Anything more than mild dryness, or anything that does not settle, is worth checking with a pharmacist or your GP rather than guessing.

If you want to cut down on PG, the simplest move is a higher VG ratio. A 70/30 liquid has 30% PG, an 80/20 has 20%, and a Max VG liquid typically lands around 10%, since most flavourings are carried in PG. Pure 100% VG flavoured liquid is rare for that reason.

Nic shots matter too. A 100VG nic shot adds no PG at all, so pairing one with a high VG shortfill keeps PG to a minimum. The catch is hardware: thick liquid needs a coil that can wick it, which usually means a sub-ohm tank or a pod with a lower resistance coil. Browse the 80VG range for options.

Here is the tricky part. Small MTL pods are designed around thin 50/50 liquid, and a high VG liquid in a 1.0 ohm coil tends to cause dry hits. If you want less PG and like MTL vaping, look for a pod that takes lower resistance mesh coils, around 0.6 ohm, which handle 70/30 better.

If you are happy to vape direct-to-lung, a sub-ohm tank takes 80/20 or Max VG easily, but you will need much lower nicotine. Choose based on which matters more to you, and remember nicotine is addictive, so plan strength carefully if you change style. Answer below for a starting point.

PG is not the only ingredient people ask about. Some want to check for specific flavourings, cooling agents such as WS-23, or sweeteners. UK nicotine e-liquid labels must list ingredients in descending order of weight, and the leaflet includes the maker's contact details.

Flavourings are often grouped under one heading, so if you have a known allergy, for example to nuts, contact the manufacturer and ask directly before using a product, especially nut or dessert flavours. Our guide to reading an e-liquid label shows where everything sits on the bottle and box.

Talk of PG sensitivity online tends to swing between it is all in your head and PG is dangerous. Neither is a helpful place to start. The sensible middle ground is that most people vape PG without issue, some report discomfort, and changing the ratio is an easy thing to try.

Flip the cards for a few points that come up often. If something feels wrong after vaping, the right person to speak to is a pharmacist or GP, not a forum thread. Questions about a specific product or order can go to our help team, who can point you at the higher VG options we stock.

A vaper using a 1.0 ohm MTL pod with a 50/50 nic salt notices their throat feels dry and scratchy after a few weeks. They have read that higher VG liquids contain less PG and want to try one, but they also want to keep their tight, cigarette-like draw.

What is the sensible first step that changes the liquid without wrecking the experience? Pick the answer that balances the ratio against the hardware. Remember that thick liquid needs a coil with wider wicking holes, and that a tight draw does not have to mean a 1.0 ohm coil, since many pods offer a 0.6 ohm option with adjustable airflow.